Examples of engines doing work

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The atmospheric engine invented by Thomas Newcomen in 1712.

1st practical device to harness steampower for mechanical work.

Used throughout Britain and Europe, principally to pump water out of mines. Hundreds were constructed through the 18th century.

James Watt’s later engine design was an improved version, that doubled fuel efficiency. Many atmospheric engines were converted to the Watt design. Watt is today better known than Newcomen in relation to the origin of the steam engine.

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Example: Power to climb a flight of stairs.

Work is related to a change in potential energy

Learning Standards

Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework

2. Conservation of Energy and Momentum
2.3 Describe both qualitatively and quantitatively how work can be expressed as a change in mechanical energy.
2.4 Describe both qualitatively and quantitatively the concept of power as work done per unit time.

SAT Physics Subject Test Learning Standards

Mechanics: Energy and momentum, such as potential and kinetic energy, work, power, impulse, and conservation laws